Those are some sunburt legs. :)

".., even if this does mean they end up looking like a part-cooked lobster"

Damn, you totally stole my line :D I wanted to comment on that ;)

I do like the picture though. Nice lines and typical northern european beach color. Almost like we have here in Holland.

Actually I like this one, Dave.

I think this would work well as an advertisement for what NOT to do when you go to the beach (SUNSCREEN PEOPLE!!) or are going to be in the sun for extended periods of time. . .

I love the color of the sand; ours is not nearly that mocha-colored. I keep looking at the bloke's right leg behind this pop-up window and can't help but want to go and get him some aloe. . .

The wet dark sand looks great, Dave! And let's face it: the legs are too red&white. The lighting is perfect for the sand. No one can create art with this pair of legs...

Don't you just LOVE the British seaside ?? I sat for 2 hours on wet hard sand in a large black jumper, freezing myself stupid just because I was on holiday and I was bloody well going to sit on the beach. Being whiter than feta cheese I daren't uncover any part of my body for fear I'll end up like this poor chaps legs.
I like the photo though, it looks as if he's passed out as surely no-one could possibly be sunbathing on that wet beach with no sun ! lol

Flat light ain't any bad here, i like this picture a lot Dave, exp. composition, flat light and legs color (or non-color : ).

it reminds me one of these stock pictures you see on mags and adv.

I think it works well. I like the composition and the sand textures.. And it really shows what Brits do to get a tan, although in this case I'd say it didn't quite work. ;-)

Nice shot Dave. I have never seen sand that brown before.

I grew up in a city near the coast here in Southern California and once lived right next to a beach for a year. But I never took advantage of it, because getting a tan is just too much trouble as I, too, have skin the color of feta cheese. And I have always had MUCH better things to do with my time. ;-)

Jere

There's nothing wrong about the lighting, I think it really fit the picture. I mean it really typifies one aspect of the British seaside to use your own words. The composition is just great. So sharp as well (did you adjust the sharpness?)

Now those are British legs! Don't know why but that's the first thing that popped into my head.

Ouch! I recommend SPF 40 next time!

It's the colour and texture of the sand that make this interesting for me. Of course, contrasted against the ghost-white and partially-burned legs helps bring out that colour. :)

this photo makes me want to go directly to that beach and walk on that sand. make some imprints. i think the color and light is perfect for the light that you know is there (doesn't seem to sunny there). and i can so relate to the sunburn!

Maybe I'm being overly morbid, which I've been accused of on many occasions, but taking this shot completely out of context it makes me feel that some sort of struggle or attack has taken place. I especially like the flecks of sand that push up from the bottom left corner...

Hi Dave,

Hope these aren't your legs as they are getting a bit of 'stick'. Anyway, really like this. Sure it is quite flat and dull in tone, but this is the wet british weather! Think it captures British summertime well - especially like the detail in the sand (contrast increase?).

I didn't particularly think much of this image. It is one your lesser ones for sure. But then I opened the comments section. I think this will sound weird to most of you, but somehow the image appeals to me more in the thumbnail size than the full size on the main page. I don't know the exact reasons, but I feel the thumbnail tends to diminish the slightly "dug up?" sand beneath the legs. That makes it look a tad bit cleaner and that's what I'd like to see in the bigger version too. Maybe if the texture of the sand beneath the legs was like the one on the left hand side of the picture, it would look better.
Just my thoughts ! I'd be interested to know more.

The bluish legs look like the man's drowned. But good composition !

In the end I decided to put this one in myphotolog category as I didn't think it was quite good enough for the gallery.

Urbanite: it was quite a warm day, and the sun did come out every once in a while ;-)

G r e e n: I sharpened this in much the same way that I sharpen most of my shots. First: USM 140% (or thereabouts), 0.3, 0. Second: USM 350% (or thereabouts), 0.2, 0.

Peter: no, they're not mine. I spotted this pair as I was walking along the sea wall. And yes, the contrast was increased, but it's the sharpening that really brought out the detail.

Mandar: yes, I know what you mean. Either it would be better if the sand were entirely flat, or, that it complemented the photograph in a more meaningful way.

to me, this photo is very gorey-esque 'S is for Steve who drowned in the sea'. it's kind of morbid - looks like someone's been washed up - but funny at the same time...

I think this is a perfect image. for someone from sunny California, I felt this photo captured the feeling of the not so perfect weather in England. The sand, the color of the sand, the flat lighting, and the obviously undertanned individual with burns . I think this photo says so much with so little. its about so much more than it's subject matter.

Sorry this one was ultimately banished to the the photolog -- I think it's truly fantastic. First of all, it strikes me as hilarious, so it gets big points for humor. (I lived in the UK for three years and have seen the national pastiness in person.) But in looking at the details, there's a lot more to enjoy. The way you've brought out the contrast in the sand -- where it's been kicked up or dug out by the heels -- is beautiful. The composition is spot on. That top line is reflective of the arch of the feet. And the gray/blue tone of the legs is a perfect foil to the orangey-warmth of the sand -- just that alone really tells the story! I lov e it!